The sight of over 15,000 flamingos spread across the vast mudflats is refreshing,especially after the 15-minute trudge through narrow and dusty streets to the Sewri jetty from the nondescript harbour line station. Gazing at them through binoculars can turn anyone a bird lover,exactly what the Bombay Natural History Society seeks through its annual flamingo festival. In its fourth year,the day-long festival saw over 3,000 visitors. Its only when people come and see these beautiful birds for themselves,will they become interested and appreciate our mission of conserving the natural habitat, said BNHS director and ornithologist Dr Asad Rahmani. Bird lovers from across India have ensured that the natural habitat is conserved and have successfully convinced even the Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) to take initiatives to maintain the ecosystem. The flamingos in the Sewri-Mahul area are a treasure for Mumbai city and the area,which is designated as an IBA (important bird area); It should be protected and developed as a tourist destination in a sustainable manner, said Rahmani who is also a member of the National Board for Wildlife. Greater and Lesser flamingos,two of the five species found in India,primarily breed in Rann of Kutch of Gujarat and visit the Sewri mud flats every winter and remain there till the first showers of monsoon. They also visit Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan,the largest salt water lake in the country. It was my son who wanted to come here because his teacher had asked him to. But after seeing the birds,even I was enchanted, said Vishwas Lohar,a visitor.
